By Bobby Allen

SDN Sports Editor

PLAINVIEW -- In the end, the Canyon Lady Eagles were just too tough, too deep and too good.

After sticking with the number one team in the state for three vigorous quarters, the Lady Tigers finally succumbed to the defending champions Tuesday, 60-32, halting their winning streak at 26 games and drawing to a close an epic season that saw the Lady Tigers go three months without a loss.

“It was a good season, a fun season,” head coach Mike Martin said. “I thought we competed very well. We made them play. The score was not indicative of the intensity of the game.”

Canyon came out hot, hitting their first five field goal attempts, but the Lady Tigers kept pace with aggressive defense.

The Lady Tigers got to within two of Canyon midway through the first period, before the Lady Eagles stretched the lead to nine at the end of the quarter.

Snyder kept their defensive pace through the second and third quarters, limiting Canyon to 23 points over the middle 16 minutes of the game.

“In the third quarter we played them pretty even, but got fatigued chasing them around. You can’t rest with them.”

Point guard Terann Ragland, who scored a team-high 14, confirmed that keeping pace with Canyon took a physical toll.

“We got really tired,” she stated, adding that the Lady Eagles had all of the details covered. “They are extremely fundamentally sound.”

Snyder was outscored 14-4 in the final quarter as the Lady Tigers tired and attempted and missed several three-point shots, allowing Canyon to pad their point total off defensive rebounds.

Snyder had to provide help inside to try and contain post players Kaycee Carey, Mandi Whitecotton and Jordan Hampton, who scored a game-high 17.

The extra help left the Canyon shooters open and they took advantage, with guards Catherine McMenamy and Sierra Wilcox knocking in 12 each.

“They are tough inside and they shoot well, so you pick your poison,” Martin said. “They’re very good offensively and defensively -- they spot the open man and don’t make mistakes.”

Senior Erin Burleson scored six points in her final game, hitting a three to put the first Snyder points on the board.

Teddi Crenwelge added eight, while Sirena Medrano and Jordan Stansell had two apiece.

Sophomore post Sarah Henson said Canyon was “definitely” the best team the Lady Tigers had faced all year, adding that the Lady Tigers are getting closer to that level.

“I think we’ll be good, and will be able to get this far next year,” she said. “Hopefully we can win it.”

And when do the underclassmen begin to think about next year?

“Probably tomorrow morning,” Ragland said Tuesday night.